Kit



June 24, 1930. p SHRWER 1,766,553

KIT

Filed Jan. 10, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig-3. e. MQ?

ATTORN Y5 June 24, 1930. H. P. SHRIVER- KIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 10, 1927 INVENTOR HEM w i Mi] DEE W111i 4 i m! L- V 6 F310 ig .il I

57 II, M

6 I fl Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY P. SHRIVER, OF VAN WEBT, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO KENNEDY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF VAN WERT, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO KIT Application filed January 10, 1927. Serial No. 160,082.

This invention is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 146,665, filed November 6, 1926, and relates to kits, and more particularly to sheet metal kits having trays disposable therein.

An object of this invention is to provide a kit having a cover and trays disposable in superposed position in said kit when the cover is closed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a kit including a box having a front side higher than the rear side, said kit .containing a tray movable into outwardly extended position by the opening of the cover.

A further object of the invention is to provide a kit having a pair of trays the upper of said trays being movable independently of the rst tray to a predetermined position whereby access may be had to either of said trays when the second tray is in extended position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a kit including a box, a cover, a tray, and linkage, said linkage including links connected to the cover and the tray, said links inclining upwardly from said cover and toward the box when the cover is in open position, whereby to prevent the tray from tipping the box when in open position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a kit having a box and a cover, and a plurality of superposed trays disposed within said kit when said kit is closed, and means associated with the lowermost of said trays whereby said tray will be moved to a position over the rear wall of the box upon the opening of said cover, said trays still remaining in superposed position.

' Another object of the invention is to provide a kit having a box and a cover and a plurality of trays, the lowermost of said trays being moved into open position by the opening of the cover, said cover being arranged to be supported from the surface upon which the box rests, linkage being arranged to support said lowermost tray from the cover in open position, whereby to substantially prevent the trays from overbalancing the kit when in extended position.

A further object of my invention is to provide a sheet metal kit having certain advantageous features of construction, whereby to provide a more rigid and substantial sheet metal article.

Another object of the invention is to pro vlde a sheet metal kit which will be waterproof and will remain waterproof even after severe usage.

Other 0 ]ects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of it hereinafter given.

My invention contemplates in one embodiment thereof a sheet metal kit for carrying fishing tackle and the like. For this purpose it is desirable to have a plurality of readily accessible trays containing various forms of tackle or other articles. When the kit is in closed position the trays are preferabl disposed one in superposed position upon the other and both within the box. Upon opening of the cover the lowermost tray is automatically brought into outwardly extended position with the upper tray still in superposed position upon the lower tray. If the object to be sought is in the upper tray, this tray is in accessible position. If it is desired to obtain access to the lower tray, the upper tray may then be independently extended outwardly and upwardly to a predetermined position which will provide access to the lower tray and yet which will not tend appreciably to overbalance or tip over the kit.

The lowermost tray is not only moved into extended position by the opening of the cover but the same means which causes the lower tray to be extended by the cover serves to support the trays rigidly when in extended position. This may be conveniently accomplished by suitable compound links connected to the cover and lower tray. In the specification and claims, the term compound link is to be understood to refer to a link comprising a plurality of link elements. Such links are secured preferably to one of the trays and to the cover in order to accomplish the feature of having the trays moved into extended position by the opening of the cover, and vice versa. Since the distance between the points of connection of such a link to a tray and the cover respectively varies during the opening and closing of the cover, the link is preferably of such construction to meet the requireuuiuts of this particular case. On account of the smoothness of operation to be obtained thereby, I prefer to employ for the above mentioned purpose compound links substantially as herein disclosed.

The cover is arranged to be supported from the surface upon which the kit is disposed, as by the handle of the cover resting on the surface. Thus, in effect, the said first or lowermost tray is supported directly from the surface upon which the kit rests. When the kit is open, the trays are rigidly supported from the surface upon which the kit rests, without requiring, or in fact permitting, any tipping of the kit to obtain such rigid support. The links connecting the cover and the lowermost tray, moreover, preferably incline upwardly and toward the box when the cover is open, thereby serving further to prevent overbalancing of the kit when the trays are extended.

In the drawings:

Figure-1 is a perspective view of a kit embodying my invention, the cover being open and both trays in extended position;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the structural connectlons between the front and end walls of the box;

en on line 4-4 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken through the box showing in enlarged form a double interlocked seam between an end wall and the front wall of a box and showing flexible cement disposed within the box adjacent said seam to render the box waterproof; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the upper inset edge of the box and showing the adjacent cooperative portion of the cover.

The kit shown in the drawings comprises a box 1 and cover 2 and trays 3 and 4. The box 1 has the bottom 5. side walls 6 and 7 and end walls 8. The front side 6 is shown as being higher than the rear side 7 -whereby a cover of smaller vertical dimensions may be employed and whereby the trays 3 and 4 maybe substantially the full width of the box 1. The upper portion of the said end and side walls may preferably be inset as at 9, 10, 11 and 12 to form the peripheral inwardly offset portion 13 adjacent to and including the upper edgeof the box 1 whereby the outer surface of the cover may be caused to meet flush with the outer surface of the box 1. The cover 2 which is secured to the box 1 by the hinges 14 is provided with a rear wall 15, a shorter front wall 16, and end walls 17, and to 18 to provide a kit of rectangular vertica section when the cover is closed. Fastening means 19 and 20 may be provided to secure the cover 2 and box 1 in closed relation. The cover 2 is provided with a suitable handle 21 which, when the cover is open, is adapted to rest upon a surface upon which the box 1 may be disposed. Within the box 1 and secured to the ends thereof are shown the brackets 22 which may be secured to the end walls 8 by suitable fastening means such as rivets. The trays 3 and 4 are supported on the brackets 22 when the kit is in closed position. It will be noted that the brackets 22 contact throughout their full length directly with the respective end walls 8. In this manner is provided a more solid and rigid construction. Furthermore, with such improved brackets there is must less likelihood of the end walls becoming warped or misshapen, particularly when the trays 3 and 4 are filled with heavy material.

I have shown a kit having advantageous structural characteristics and moreover a kit which is waterproof and which will remain waterproof even after severe usage. Thus, referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 7, it will be noted that the side walls 6 and end walls 8 are provided with the interlocking flanged sections 23 and 24 arranged to form the double interlocking seams 25 along the edge junction of said side and end walls below the inset portion 13. Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 3, this structural feature of interlocking seams is shown as employed in the junctions of the end walls 8 to the side walls 6 and 7 and bottom 5 and in the junctions of the ends 17 of the cover to the top 18 and sides 15 and 16 of the cover to form the seams 25, 52, 26, 49. 50 and 51 respectively.

To render the kit waterproof, I prefer to dispose a flexible cement 27 within the box adjacent the seams 25, 26 and 52 in a manner such as is clearly illustrated in Fig. 7. The flexible cement 27 is extremely advantageous over a rigid cementin that the flexible cement will cause the kit to retain its waterproof eharacter even after severe usage such as caused by knocks, dents or blows to the kit. The cement 27 in Fig. 7 is shown in somewhat enlarged form. The cement 27 may be suitably applied by brushing into the seams after the completion of the kit and after the painting or enameling thereof.

The flexible cement 27 may comprise, for example, a material having a gum base, which may be heated before application to the seams of the box. On cooling, such material retains suflicient plasticity to withstand knocks and blows without cracking or breaking, whereby the kit may retain its water proof character. a

In Fig. 2 I have shown an advantageous connection of the side and end walls adjacent the upper inset portion 13. It will be noticed in Fig. 2 that the upper edges of the walls 6 and 8 are overturned at 28 and 29, the front wall 6 being provided with a flange or win 30 which is bent outwardly of the end we 1 8 and secured thereto b electric welding, such as spot welding. in this manner 1s provided a very secure and satisfactory connection of the end and side walls and one which may be readily manufactured to provide a box of rigid, neat and pleasing a pearance. Moreover, the cover 2 may e readily disposed over the'inset portion 13 without interference of the flange 30.

In Fig. 8 is shown an advanta eous construction for the meeting edges 0 the cover 2 and box 1 wherein is s own the ortion 28 overturned adjacent the upper e ge of. the box 1. The meeting or lower edge 32 of the cover is formed by overturning the cover as at 33.

The first or lowermost tray 3 is shown as provided with partitions 34, 35 and 36 to provide compartments of desired size for the articles to be carried, for example, fishing tackle. To each end of the tray 3 are secured ends of links 37 and 38, which links are of equal length. The opposite ends of the links 37 and 38 are secured to the brackets 22 in such manner that the effective lengths of the links 37 and 38 are equal and that said links remain in parallel relation to one another.

In Figs. 1, 3 and 5 particularly is illustrated the very advantageous link connection intermediate the cover 2 and the lower tray 3 comprising the compound links 39. The compound links 39 are shown as comprising link elements 40 pivotally secured to the ends of the tray 3 and the link elements 41 pivotally secured to the cover 2, the link elements 40 and 41 being pivotally secured together by the third link elements 42. The various previously mentioned pivotal connections may be conveniently obtained by the use, for example, of suitable rivets. By means of this type of link connection the cover may be opened and the trays moved into outwardly extended position and vice versa in a smooth and non-jerk manner. When the cover is in open position it will be noted that the link elements 40 and 41 are in substantially parallel positlon as shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 3. As clearly indicated in Figs. 5 and 6, the link elements 40 and 41 may bebent adjacent their connections to the cover 2 and tray 3 res ectively, in orderthat the ends of said lin elements may be disposed directly adjacent said cover and tray, and whereby the third link element42 and its pivotal connections may be freely;movable intermediate the ends of-the trays-'3 and 4 andthe ends 17 of the cover 2. r

The second or upper tray 4 is shown as provided with partitions 43 to provide compartments of the desired size and shape. The front wall 44 of the tray 4 is shown'as inclined rearwardly so as not to interfere with the opening and closing of the cover. This function is clearl illustrated in Fi 3. Links 45 and 46 are s own secured at t eir ends to the trays 3 and 4 respectively, whereby the upper tray 4 may readily be moved independently of the lower tra 3. Stops 47 are provided whereby, when t e upper tray 4 is moved into extended position, the said tray may be caused to take a predetermined position with respect to the lower tray 3.

When the kit is in closed position and the cover is opened, the compound links 39 cooperate with the pins 48 disposed at each end of the tray 3 as illustrated in the dotted lines in Fig. 5, to pull the lower tray into the outwardly extending position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 whereby the lower tray 3 extends outwardly over the cover 2. The upper tray 4 meanwhile remains in superposed position on the lower tray 3. When the lower tray 3 is in outwardly extending position, it and the upper tray are rigidly supported by the compound links 39, no tipping of the kit being required in order to obtain such rigid support. When the cover is open, it will also be noted that the links 39 incline upwardly toward the box 1. Since the handle 21 rests upon the surface upon which the box 1 is disposed, the tray 3 is in eflect suported at its rearward end from said surface through the handle 21, cover 2 and links 39. The portion of the handle contacting with the surface upon which thebox is disposed thus acts as a fulcrum support rearwardly of the box 1, thereby greatly minimizing or substantially eliminating any tendency of the kit to be overbalanced or tipped over.

When the cover is opened, the second or upper tray 4 remains superposed on the lower tray 3 in the same relation thereto as when the kit was closed, as shown in Fig. 3. Thus, where it is desired to have access to the upper tray 4 it is merely necessary to open the cover 2. When, however, it is desired to have access to the lower tray 3, the upper tray 4 may be independently moved manually to the position shown in Fig. 1. It will be noted that the stops 47 limit the movement of the links 45 and 46 so that the upper tray 4 is spaced sufficiently far in a vertical direction from the lower tray 3 to permit ready access to all portions of the lower tray 3. The use of such stops 4? permits the use of relatively short links 4:) and 46. tlms rendering the kit more compact and minimizing any oven-balancing effect of the upper tray 4 when extended, for the reason that the shorter the links the less distance rearwardly can the upper tray 4 extend.

To close the kit from the position shown in Fig. 1, the upper tray 4 may first be disposed manuall upon the lower tray 3 or not, as desired. I the upper tray 4 is not manually superimposed upon the lower tray 3, the cover 2 when raised and moved to closed position cooperates with the upper tray to push it into position on the lower tray 3 and then by means of the compound links 39 moves both trays into position within the box 1.

It will thus be seen that I have provided an advantageous kit having trays to which access is readil available, the kit having a minimum ten ency to overbalance when open, and providing a neat and compact earrying means when closed.

It will moreover be noted that I have provided a waterproof kit which will remain waterproof even after severe usage.

It will furthermore be seen that I have provided means for securing or connecting the ends and side walls and bottom of the kit as well as advantageous means for connecting the end and side walls at the upper inset portion thereof whereby to provide a strong construction.

It will also be seen that I have provided a cantilever kit wherein when the cover and trays are in open extended position the trays receive rigid support from the surface upon which the kit is disposed without requiring any tipping of the kit in order to receive such rigid support.

It will also be noted that I have provided advantageous link connections between one of the trays and the cover whereby the trays may be pulled into extended position and back to nested position within the box smoothly.

It will also be seen that while the invention has been shown as a sheet metal kit, it can obviously be constructed of fiber, wood, or other materials.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the particular forms of apparatus shown and described, and the particular procedure set forth, are presented for purposes of explanation and illustration and that various modifications of said apparatus and procedure can be made without departing from my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A kit comprising, in combination, an open-top substantially rectangular box havin vertical sides and ends, the .front side being higher than the rear side, a cover hinged to the rear side of said box, said cover when in open position being arranged to be supported from a surt'aee upon which said box is disposed, a lirst tray,'pairs of links secured to the ends of said tray and the interior of said box, compound links secured to each end of said tray and to the interior of said cover, one element of each link being secured to said tray, a second element thereof being secured to said cover, and a third element thereof connecting said first and second elements, all said links being so arranged that opening said cover will move said tray from a nested position within said box to an outwardly extending position over said cover and vice verse, said tray when the cover is open being supported in part by said compound links a second tray adapted to be superimposed upon said first tray, independently operable pairs of links connecting the ends of said first and second trays respectively, and stops secured to the ends of said first tray to limit the movement of said second tray relative to said first tray.

2. A kit comprising, in combination, an open-top substantially rectangular box having vertical sides, a cover hinged to the rear side of said box, a handle secured to the to of said cover, said handle-being arrange when said cover is open, to contact with a surface upon which said box is disposed rearwardly of said box, brackets disposed within said box and secured to the ends thereof, a tray, a pair of links secured to each bracket and to the ends of said tray, compound links secured to the interior of said cover and to the ends of said tray, one element of each said link being secured to said tray, a second element thereof being secured to said cover, and a third element thereof connectin said first and second elements, said links eing secured to said cover so that when the cover is opened the links incline upwardly toward said box with said first and second link elements substantially parallel to each other, a second tray adapted to be superimposed upon said first tray, independently operable airs of links connecting the ends of said first and second trays respectively, and stops secured to the ends of said first tray to limit the movement of said second tray relative to said first tray.

3. A kit comprising, in combination, an open-top substantially rectangular box having vertical sides and ends, the front side being higher than the rear side, a cover hinged to the rear side of said box, trays superposed in said box when the cover is closed, links connecting the trays, box and cover including compound links secured to one of said trays and to said cover to permit the cover to be opened approximately without disturbing the stacked trays and to extend the trays over thehinges and over the cover when the cover is moved to full open position, in which position the bottom of the lower tray of the series is lower than the high side of the box, one element of each said compound link being secured to a tray, a second element thereof secured to said cover, and a third element thereof connecting said first and second elements, and means for rigidly supporting said trays from the surface upon which said kit is disposed Without requiring any tipping movement of said kit to efiect such rigid support.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HARRY P. SHRIVER. 

